Mike Miller’s decision to let Call Me Winter take her chances in the Morris Vee Handicap at Greyville on Friday has been to the benefit of most of the opposition.

Many will argue that being a handicap, Call Me Winter’s burden of 65kg is deserved but the fact remains that it is unusual for a trainer to accept given her weight.

That said, Call Me Winter is back over what is seemingly her preferred surface and the fact that Miller has not even taken advantage of a claiming apprentice one would assume that he has the race sussed.

In opposition to Call Me Winter are two smart older horses in Icy Spirit and Cosmic Burst while the visiting Miss Malbec will also have her supported.

Icy Spirit has come into her own over the past few weeks as Alyson’s Wrights filly has notched a couple of wins over Friday’s course and distance and a close-up second when stretched to seven furlongs from the worst of the draw last time out.

She is obviously progressive and the fact that Anthony Delpech has stuck with the mount adds to her appeal.

Cosmic Burst is seldom too far off the pace and Dennis Drier’s yard is slowly turning the corner after a relatively quiet season so far.

Last time out in the KZN Stakes you could have written your own ticket about her chances but those bookies taking your bet will have sweated a little as Cosmic Burst ran up a close fourth behind the speedy Jo’s Bond and the smart Elusivenchantment.

Both those outings were on the turf which is of some concern as Cosmic Burst’s poly form is nothing to write home about, but that does not take away from her ability and from a gate next door to Icy Spirit she should be a contender.

Call Me Winter has it tough as a three-year-old with 65kg to shoulder, 10kg more than her older rivals, but she has cracking form on the poly. She was three lengths behind Cosmic Burst in the race won by Jo’s Bond at Scottsville and prior to that was a close-up second to Elusivenchantment, also on the turf.

The stable is showing signs of coming to hand and it wold be unwise to write her off lightly.

Although Glen Kotzen has a satellite yard in KZN, his Cape raiders have come good early and Miss Malbec will have her supporters come Friday evening.

She made a smart local debut on the poly under 62kg from the worst of the draw and although she takes on stronger here, she should have benefited from the outing and the experience on the poly and she is draw in pole position with Icy Spirit and Cosmic Burst directly on her outside.

Mogostar and Royal Kaitrina have outstanding chances in the Jayces Projects Handicap but Sean Tarry’s charge De Nimes made a smart poly debut under Anthony Delpech and although taking a significant rise in class, the lightly raced five-year-old could well show further improvement on the synthetic surface.

Joshua’s Answer and Just Cruised In can do much better than their latest efforts in the Laboratory Supply Handicap although veteran Jamal has plummeted down the handicap and Frank Robinson has kept the gelding on the go for six seasons and 63 outings for three wins, a current rating of 40 and bottom weight.

He could prove to be the surprise package.

The balance of the card consists of Maidens and lowly handicaps and past experience suggests that market moves often prove more significant than form.

Friday also marks the end of the regular Friday night racemeetings at Greyville as the South African Champions Season moves into full swing on the following weekend with the running of the Gr2 Daisy Guineas and the Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas.

By Andrew Harrison